reflections of mine others might find useful

13:[we must] put on the weapons of light. 13:13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ…

Today I’ve isolated the positive commands.

weapons of light. Rather than flounder in darkness we are to live in the light. It begins by telling us to “put on the weapons of light.” I’m noticing it doesn’t say to purge out the weapons of darkness, but to put on those of light. That’s interesting. So many people focus only on eradicating evil. Perhaps the best way to lesson the darkness of evil is to shine more light rather than trying to pounce on dark shadows. Just a thought. That seems to be what this passage is saying.

Let us live decently. The antidote to the secular culture’s immorality does not seem to be fighting against immorality per se, but rather to live decently. Our example of moral, godly behavior is what seems to be required. This perhaps has implications in our world of deteriorating marriages. If Christ-followers would live committed, loving lives with their spouse, perhaps we wouldn’t be so concerned about society’s breakdown of traditional marriage. If we simply showed them how well God’s way works, people would be drawn into the truth.

put on Jesus Christ. This makes me think of Superman wearing his costume and “S” logo. When we put on Jesus Christ, perhaps it means that we are to be behaving and thinking like Jesus. We’re properly “suited up” for the Christian journey when we adopt His ways. We can learn a lot from the study of His life. How he treated people. How He handled his culture. How He acted toward personal injustice. What was important to Him. That should become our pursuit.